Wichita eagle., 1887-12-14
POSTAL TELEGRAPH BILL,


WASHINGTON, Dec. 13,-The postal tele-
graph bill introduced by Senator Cullom
today. establishes the United States postal
telegraph as part of the postal system of
the United States. The intention is to
connect the lines with all cities where the
postal free delivery system prevails, but no
additional facilities are to be provided in
states already connected with the trunk
line until postal telegraph Offices have
been established in every state ana terri
tory. The system is to be constructed in
straight lines as near as practicable, but
regard is TO be taken of cities that will af-
ford the best Geographic facilities to the
public The lines are TO be constructed By
the engineer corps of the army and
transferred 10 the custody of the pOstmas-
ter general The poles are to be OF iron,
the wires Of copper, and all other materials
of the best character. Eight wires are to
be strung on the line from New York to
Chicago and four upon other lines. The
secretary of war Will be authorized to use
the military service lines of the United
States as far as eXpedient. and also to
make all necessary cOndemnatiOnS of lands
and buildings Mt a fair compensation. All
disputes as to what is a fair compensation
are 10 &c settled by the court of claims.
The secretary is further authorized to con-
struct. make and use all machinery and
devices, not including telegraph lines,
whether patented ornot, as shall be deemed
necessary. The compensation to be de
termined in the same manner as CON
demnationS of lands The sums of money
necessary for this purpose are appropriated
by the bill. 4 rate of 10 cents for each
twenty words and cents for each addi-
tiOnal ten words is fixed for distances
under 500 miles, and an additional rate Of
5cents for each 2J0 miles, end an addi-
tional rate of cents for each
go miles over 800 A night rate
OF 80 cents and day rate or
a. cents is fixed for each 100 words
transmitted for new SpaperS, except that
where the same dispatch is dropped
eff at more than one Office the rates shall
he . and 80 cents respectively for each
dropped copy. The Office of director general
o. telegraphs is created as a part of the post
office department. 1t is the duty of the
postmaster general to report To congress
after the passage of the act a plan for the
complete organization Of the postal tele-
graph system, with detailed estimates of
men and money needed. Before the syS-
TEN is put into operation and employees
selected, examinations are to be held by
The civil service commission to determine
the fitness of applicants. -Four million
dollars il appropriated for the location
and construction of the telegraph lines
provided for by the act.
The bill introduced 10y Senator Cullom
today TO amend the interstate commerce
act embodies the most important sugges-
tions that have been made for the cor
rebtion of defects in the law, including
the recommendations of the com
mis sionerS. The amendments are
voluminouS, and in minute legal
10 m. The following is synopsis of
their more important provisions: To ex-
tend the provisions of the act so as to make
the act apply to express, sleeping car
drawing. room car, palace car, stock car
and tank car companies and ANY other
companies associations or persons fur
nishlnS for public use upon railroad cars
and other instrUmentalities for the trans
portatlon OF persons or property" The
words or other carriers are inserted
twice In the fifth section, so as to prohibit
not only pooling between different
railroads, but between different railroads
and other carriers. Further authority is
gwen to the commission to fix the amount
of compensation for damages The pro-
vision j. also made TO take the commission
out of the jurisdiction of the interior de-
PAR nent and make il independent. and TO
require il 10 report direct TO congress as
recommended by the secretary of the in
terror
Senator Cullom'S bill TO eoualize the
rate of pensions fixes the pension for the
loss Of sight or disability requiring regular
attendance at So per month.
senator Chandler has introduced bill
TO regulate the holding of congress on all
elections in South Carolina. Florida, Mis-
slsSlppl and Louisiana. Ii provides for the
appointment by the president with the ad-
vice and consent OF the senate. of four
supervisors OF election for each congress
Slonal district IN the states to which the
measure applies. who are required TO sub
divide the districts into sufficient num-
Der OF voting precincts. In each precinct
the circuit court of the United States
Is To appoint four inspectrs and
two poll clerks who are 10
make registration of the votes
and conduct congressional elections. The
SUPERVISORS are 10 act as a convassing
board 10 receive ghe teturns from the in
Spectors and ascertain and declare the
result of the election. The supervisors.
inspectors and poll clerks are TO be divided
equally between the two political parties
The measure Is made applicable only To
the states of South Carolina Florida
Mississippi and Louisiana 1t is elabor-
ately drawn and contains minute pro-
visions governing the whole matter of
registration ana conduct of elections to-
gether with penalties for election frauds.
10 an Associated Press reporter who
asked for an explanation of the theory and
purpose of the bill Mr. Chandler said il
was drawn under that clause of the con
Stltution which provides that the times.
places and manner of holding elections
Tor representatives in congress shall be
prescribed in each state by the legislature
thereof, but congress may, by law. make
or alter such regulations lie said the
constitutional power is ample. either 10
pass general law for all states
or 10 number of states, or a
SPECIAL law in respect TO any
particular state. In reply TO a query as to
his purpose in limiting the measure 10
the four states named. he said: 1T is my
desire TO secure if possible the passage Of
national election law in these states,
Where there Is a manifest and avoweu sun
Preston Of Republican suffrage. In